The world as we knew it was turned upside down on what was the 104th Restoration of Independence Day of the Republic of Estonia.
On that particular day Russia decided to invade and attempt to reoccupy Ukraine. This step unleashed unprecedented warfare.
Since then we have been supplying Ukraine with moral support, military equipment and humanitarian and medical aid. But mainly, the world has been watching. Some have been very vocal, the others have been taken aback. Truth to be told, we have all been taken aback. But then there are the ones who have come out with contrary views, based on gaps in their faulty knowledge of history and unwillingness to see the wolf in sheep's clothing as an actual predator. When evil is unmasked, then the wolf is visible. And yet, there are some in the Christian ranks who hold on to their opinionated view that the Leader of Russia is a true Christian, or somehow compelled by God to take action as declared by Pat Robertson.
I am sure that he might have simply stumbled in his speech, while trying to find a suitable wording for his thought. But it presented a wrong image of God who came down to this world to lift us up. The Old Testament used such wording, for Jesus was not known at the time. But today, in the New Testament era it is paramount for us to present an image of God which corresponds to the New Covenant. The God of the New and the Old Covenant is still the same, true that. But our understanding of Him has changed for better. He came and lived in our midst and then gave His life for us. He took our punishment upon Himself. This God does not compel anyone to do evil. This is a very unfortunate wording, no matter the underlying intent. God is a good God, and devil who is responsible for the evil, is a bad devil. Let this be settled.
James 1:13-14 ► |
King James Bible Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. |
That's it.
We can avoid a lot of arguments and trouble, if we would learn to know the character and heart of God.
It takes fellowship which is our personal one-on-one time in the company of the Third Person of the Godhead, who was sent to us after the ascent of Jesus.
John 14:16-17 ► |
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. |
While the Old Testament language uses expressions which sound similar to the one Pat Robertson used in his expository statement, the New Testament language is more precise, and does not indicate to God as the source of evil. He is Light. He is the source of goodness. There is no darkness, no evil in Him. He is not the source behind the attacks, and devastation. And no, He does not compel anyone to do evil. It is not His character nor His modus operandi.
But when we use such vernacular, we alienate people from God with our speech. We present them an image of a different God, who is not the God we know. We may want to be more careful with our selection of words. And we may want to present God as His Ambassadors in this world, the way He is.
As a different representation presents to the world around us a callous creature who is out to do evil, and who robs, kills and steals. And this is not the God we know and love and care about.
John 10:10-11 ► |
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." |
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